Paityn Haanen

Couples therapy was a standout show at the Fringe festival this year. Aliya Kanani and Emo Majok’s creative spin on a stand up show was nothing short of genius. Being able to combine both of their styles of comedy while also letting each other shine individually made the perfect well rounded show. With two comedians brought out prior to the main act it felt like an entire evening of fun in just one hour.

The entire room was filled with people from all different ages, generations and backgrounds yet everyone was laughing together. It’s not easy to make such a diverse group laugh at the same jokes, but they pulled it off with ease. There was something hilariously relatable for every single person there. This show also had a great balance with their political comedy. They managed to weave in current social events in a way that was smart, funny and still accessible to everyone in the room.

Their banter was another highlight. The chemistry between Emo and Aliya was undeniable. Equal parts playful teasing and genuine support. They poked fun at each other, but always with a sense of affection that made the performance feel personal and endearing.

Overall this show was nothing but fun the whole way through. Whether you can catch these two individually or together they are absolutely worth seeing. I would recommend this show over and over again!

There is not a single dull moment in the Chris Borger and Julian Faid improv show. From the moment they hit the stage, I couldn’t stop smiling. The entire room kept absolutely erupting with laughter. It was one of those rare shows where you genuinely forget to breathe because you’re laughing so hard. (I even forgot to take notes for my review till halfway through because of how addicting this show is).

It's borderline impossible to believe these scenes aren’t scripted. Every moment was quick, clever, and effortlessly smooth. Chris and Julian shifted between wildly different characters with seamless, convincing, and hilarious transitions. The depth they brought to each character was genuinely impressive. With just a few simple questions, they turned audience answers into scenes full of humor and creativity.

The chemistry between these two is unbreakable. They play off each other so naturally and it genuinely feels like they are having as much fun performing as we are watching. This show is an absolute must-see. I was genuinely in tears from laughing and already want to go back again.

The Divorced Dads Guide to Slaying Vampires is a laugh-out-loud, action-packed ride, from the second the cast steps on stage, till the final bow. Set hilariously close to home in St. Albert, it blends absurd vampire chaos with everyday dad relatability in the best possible way.

The fight scenes are impressively choreographed, full of energy and perfect comedic timing. Every song, line, and lighting cue hits exactly where it should. This cast dives so deeply into their roles that even in the most absurd scenes it feels believable. This show on brotherhood, friendship, and fatherhood is a surprisingly heartwarming story considering the absolutely wild plot of this show. Filled with utter creativity and very clear dedication, I never wanted this show to end.

What really makes this show stand out is how it somehow manages to be both extremely clever and completely off the rails in all the best ways. No matter how ridiculous it gets it never feels messy. It’s smart, silly, and seriously funny. This is the kind of show you want to tell all your friends about as soon as it’s over. If you’re looking for something that’s high energy, well executed, and just genuienly fun, this is definitely a Fringe highlight.

In Love and Craic, Carlyn Rhamey delivers a stunning display in solo storytelling. With nothing but an empty stage and her relentless charisma, Rhamey whisks the audience away on a journey through the hills of Ireland and the coasts of Scotland. It’s a one-woman show, but it feels like an entire world comes alive before your eyes. The use of her descriptive dialogue is able to bring the story to life in such a captivating way that I kept wanting more.

What makes Love and Craic truly unforgettable, though, is how hilariously relatable it is. Rhamey explores the trials and triumphs of solo travel for all the comedy and chaos it has to offer. From awkward encounters, to travel mishaps, and unexpected friendships each piece of the story is delivered with the perfect combination of wit and humor. But beyond the laughs, there’s a deep and powerful emotional core. Rhamey’s expressions of vulnerability, joy, loneliness, and gratitude are so raw and genuine that you feel everything with her, as if you're experiencing it first hand.

Her performance is more than just storytelling, it's the transportation into the world of her journey. She has a special gift in making a room full of strangers feel so connected to her story. Love and Craic isn't just a love letter to Celtic culture and travel, but also the human connections that make both so meaningful.

Emo majok: African Aussie was anything but unseasoned.

From the second Emo Majok walked on stage, the energy in the room totally shifted. He had such a captivating stage presence, and somehow made every single person in the audience feel like part of the show. His crowd work was smooth, quick and witty. Like he had a comeback ready before people even finished talking. Every single interaction had people crying with laughter.

The crowd was laughing at pretty much every sentence. Some of the jokes came back around in the smartest, funniest ways, which made the whole set feel incredibly thought-out without losing its natural effortless flow. Even when telling stories from his life he's able to discuss serious topics while being able to keep them lighthearted and fun to listen to.

The whole set was non-stop laughs from beginning to end. By the time it was over, my face hurt from smiling, and the crowd was still buzzing. Emo Majok knows exactly how to own a stage and keep everyone locked in. If you ever get the chance to see him live, take it. He’s something special.

Charlies Riot, a show that unravels the intricate struggles involving feminism, girlhood and the exploration of identity formation. Laurel Marie Munro, who wrote and starred in this production, uses ambiguous foreshadowing that allows the audience to piece together her captivating story. The poetic dialogue grabs the audience, leaving them hanging onto every word she says, making this show hard to look away from.

This play explores heavy topics in a way that immerses the crowd into the complicated upbringing of 17-year-old Charlie. The show tackles topics such as abortion, teenage rebellion, and the unrelenting tribulations of growing up with no Y chromosomes in a patriarchal world. Munro is able to handle such topics with grace and never shying away from the hard truths experienced by so many who have found themselves in similar situations. Though difficult, the content is all too relatable for countless individuals.

At its core, Charlie’s Riot is a bold celebration of resistance, resilience, and reclaiming your story. It reminds us that girlhood isn’t soft or simple; it’s loud, messy, and full of power. Munro’s performance leaves a lasting impression, giving voice to a kind of feminist rage that refuses to be ignored.

“Damn, he’s good.”

It’s a line from No Tweed Too Tight, but by the end of the show, it might as well be the audience’s collective reaction. Ryan Gladstone somehow plays every character in this chaotic, hilarious mystery — and makes it look effortless.

With just a wooden box, a chair, and his face (which honestly deserves its own credit), he builds an entire world onstage. Lighting shifts, audio cues, and his insanely fast character swaps turn a simple setup into something that feels way bigger than a one-man show has any right to be. It’s like watching an entire cast — until you remember, nope, still just Ryan.

The story dives into the scrambled mind of Grant Canyon, a high profile insurance investigator with a memory problem and way too many enemies. As the mystery unfolds, the plot gets weirder (in the best way), the characters get wilder, and the audience laughs harder — especially when Gladstone breaks the fourth wall like it owes him money.

No Tweed Too Tight isn’t just clever — it’s straight-up impressive. Fast-paced, smart, and stupidly funny, it proves how far one guy with a good idea and ridiculous range can take a story.

Yeah. Damn, he’s good.